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When I was three years old - before she left for work or an appointment - my mum would spit on the ground in front of me and promise: "I'll be back before it dries out". And there I would sit in front of that micro-puddle, looking at its shrinking borders and I'd wait for my mum.

My mum died in her early 30s and my granny inherited me. She used to say: "Rather than sitting in vain, do something in vain".

My driving instructor in the Soviet Army used to tell us: "If you find yourself in a confusing situation in the middle of traffic and don't know what to do, just press the horn!"

The point I'm trying to make is that I was brought up not to waste my time even when I am wasting it.

I'm on my leave for the next three weeks, but I would like this blog to carry on in my absence and therefore I have a suggestion for you.

I propose that we write a short story together. To do this I suggest that you send me the following for inspiration:

• A "plot-trigger event"
• Descriptions of up to three good characters
• A location
• And a line of dialogue.

I will combine them into a short story for the web.

Take encouragement from my mother, my granny and my soviet driving instructor and let's begin!